Understanding the Purpose of a Resume?

• A brief history of accomplishments

• An introduction to the employer

• Schedule an interview, not obtain a job

An Enticing Resume Is

• Visually inviting

• Easy to read

• Experiences and skills highlighted (particularly the technical skills) in an easy to follow format

• Pointed toward the results of efforts (not just provide descriptions of the jobs held)

Example:

• Provided customer service.

VERSUS

• Utilized customer service skills to increase store profits by 10%.

Example:

• Responsible for working the cash register.

VERSUS

• Processed cash transactions up to $1,000 daily.

Resume Formats

• Chronological– The Education and Career timeline in

reverse chronological order

• Functional/Skills– Emphasis on Experience and less on dates

or employment history

• Combination

Resume Headings

• NAME (large), ADDRESS(ES), PHONE NUMBER, E-MAIL

• OBJECTIVE? The debate continues• EDUCATION

– Certificate/degree and graduation date with major emphasis of study

– Name of Educational Institution and Location (city & state)

– GPA

RESUME HEADINGS (Cont.)

• RELATED EXPERIENCE SECTION (includes Internship/Practicum or can list separately)– Describe three to four jobs

- not the entire work history– Name & Location of Employer

- city & state only– Job title– Length of employment – List/describe responsibilities & accomplishments

• OTHER EMPLOYMENT – List name of employer, location, position and

dates of employment without descriptions

Other Headings

• SKILLS i.e.:– Computer programs– Equipment/Formats– Communication– Languages, etc..– Specific skills that

relate to your field of study

• ACTIVITIES• HONORS/AWARDS• VOLUNTEER

WORK• PROFESSIONAL

INVOLVEMENT

Things to Keep in Mind...

• Employers spend approximately 20 seconds reviewing a resume

• Bold degree/major, jobs, involvement related to field

• Bullet listings of job descriptions--use short & direct sentences

beginning with an action verb

• Use jargon relevant to the field to describe position responsibilities

Check it Twice!• Make sure phone number is correct; e-mail address appropriate

• Be consistent with the way things are presented i.e. Missouri, Mo., or MO and May 2008 or 5/08

• Fill the page

• Match employer’s WIFM factor

• There should be ONE resume!

• NO typos!

Qualities Employers Want

• Immediate contribution to the organization

Self-starter, leader, etc.• Good oral and written communication skills• Team player with good interpersonal &

analytical skills• Abilities/Skills match the qualifications• Relevant work experience• Strong computer knowledge

Cover Letters ...when, why, and how?

• It is the introduction and first impression to the employer

• Send whenever a resume is “mailed” to an employer

• Represents skills and abilities and MUST be error free

• Needs to be personalized – address to a “person” at that organization not “To

Whom It May Concern”

Cover Letters

• Print on paper that matches the resume• Use laser printer• Remember, cover letters need to be

signed• Mail in either

– 9”x 12” catalog envelope or– matching standard business size envelope

Cover Letters should:• Be written in active voice• Hook the reader’s attention • Refer employer to the resume

- Not repeat it!• Focus on the WIFM factor• Be one page in length• Contain no typos or grammatical errors• Tell something about you not in resume

Contents of a Cover Letter

• How the candidate became aware of the opportunity

• What is known about the company, the opportunity, and the employer’s needs

• Personal traits which make it clear why the candidate should be considered for the position

• A direct request for an interview

Interview Expectations and Today's Professional Dress

An Interview is a Two-Way Street

It lets an employer learn about candidates- Abilities - Talents

- Interests - Personality

- Work Experience - Education

It lets candidate find out about the employer’s- Needs - History

- Work Environment - Business Activities

- Plans for the Future

Interviewer’s GoalsLook for indicators of:

Expertise and competenceWhat are your greatest strengths?

What areas need improvement? Weaknesses?

What activities did you participate in during college?

What classes did you like the most? The least?

Why is your GPA so low?

What have been some of the duties/responsibilities you’ve had with your jobs/activities that you’ve enjoyed the most?

Interviewer’s Goals-cont.

Expertise & Competence (cont.)

Describe the most significant report/presentation that you had to complete.

What’s the most difficult assignment or responsibility you’ve been asked to take on?

How much is it going to cost me to train you?

Interviewer’s Goals-cont.

Motivation

Why did you study _________?

Why do you want to work for us?

Why are you interested in this position?

What objectives do you hope to achieve your first year?

Interviewer’s Goals-cont.

Interpersonal skills

Tell me about yourself.

How would a group of your closest friends describe you? Your faculty?

Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer/client or co-worker.

Tell me about a time in which you had to build motivation among co-workers or team members.

Tell me about a time when you trained/taught someone.

Interviewer’s Goals-cont.

Decision-making skills

Give me an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a critical decision.

Who do you go to for advice in making decisions?

What types of problems do you like to solve or resolve?

Interviewer’s Goals-cont.

Interest in job

What do you know about the organization? The position?

What do you expect from an organization that hires you?

What strengths do you want to build upon with

our organization?

Where do you hope to be in 10 years? 15?

What do you consider to be some of the most worthwhile innovations taking place in the industry/business? Biggest challenges?

Interviewer’s Goals-cont. Personality and Likeability

Outside of the classroom, what’s best prepared you for a career in _________?

What do you consider to be an ideal work environment?

Describe the characteristics of the best boss you’ve ever had? The worst?

Tell me about a personal goal you set for yourself and the steps you took to reach it.

Explain a situation where you went “above and beyond” what was required of you.

What the employer is looking for...

AlertnessAssertivenessCommitment to TaskCopingCreativityDecision MakingGoal Setting

LeadershipManagementOral CommunicationOrganization/PlanningProblem Solving AbilityTeam BuildingPerception

Candidate’s Goals

Gather information and learn about job, employer, and organization

Impress interviewer enough to be offered the job

Knowing self is criticalto job search success

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

Preparing for the Interview

1. Identify and assess strengths.2. Translate strengths into job-related

language relevant to the needs of employers.

3. Make communications employer-centered rather than self-centered.

4. Support accomplishments with specific examples illustrating what was done.

5. Conduct research on important job-related issues.

6. Gather information about the organization.

7. Gather information about the interviewer.

8. Anticipate and prepare for questions.9. Consider responses if asked an illegal

question or questions about the “threats”.

10. Practice the form and content of your responses.

Preparing for the Interview

Preparing for the Interview 11. Be prepared for more than one

interview with the same employer

12. Know how they communicate verbally to others

13. Know how they communicate nonverbally to others

14. Dress for success

Researching the Organization

Key people in the organizationMajor products or servicesSize in terms of service area and

employees Locations other than your community Organizational structure Major competitors View of company by clients and suppliers Latest local or national news that affects the organization

Getting to the Interview

Dress professionally Take resume, references and portfolio Arrive on time Make allies of everyone Concentrate on first impression

Good eye contactFirm handshake Smile

During the Interview

Establish RapportBe Positive & LikeableShow EnthusiasmEliminate Nervous MannerismsDisplay a Sense of HumorConsider the Interviewer’s ProblemShow Self-Confidence and Sense of Worth

Two thirds of a message is communicated non-verbally

Also During the Interview

Listen carefullyRemember that names are importantLet interviewer control first interviewNever bad-mouth anyoneDraw on past experiences/

give illustrationsDiscuss what you can offer

....not what they can do for youAsk them questions

The Answers to Many Task Related

Questions Must Explain:

The Situation. Establish the settingThe Task or problem for which you

were responsibleThe specific Action takenThe Results of the actions

Have Prepared Questions of the Employer

• What would my responsibilities be?• How would my performance be evaluated?• Is there a training program? • What opportunities for advancement exist?• How would I be supervised? • Whom would I be working with?

When to Talk About SalaryDo not initiate in the first interviewBe prepared to state a range Do homework

Books The InternetPeople in the field

Be realistic (region, size of organization)Don’t undersell

Follow-Up

Send a Thank You Letter

Appearance

It is the first thing communicated

to others.

Use it to the advantage.

Concentrate on an Overall Look

Pressed dark suitFits well Jacket sleeves end at

joint of wrist & hands

Dark socksShirt cuff (light colored) extends

1/4 to 1/2 inch below jacket sleeveBottom of jacket should cover seatTie showing personality

Concentrate on an Overall Look

Expensive suits are not necessaryMake sure skirt is not too shortLittle or no fragranceNeat, controlled hair styleShoes - pumps-- dark, clean,

polishedHair well groomed, conservative nail

color, hose, jewelry.

Other Points to Remember Regarding the Interview

No smokingNo gum chewingAvoid personal issuesEven failures provide

information

Questions?